WEBINAR: Supporting Disabled Parents: Working Through Access and Ableism

Learning Objectives 

Did you know that 1 in 8 birthing parents in Ontario is a person with a disability?  Do you have questions about what resources and supports exist for disabled parents? Are you wondering how doulas can best support disabled parents? This webinar will help you understand the impact of ableism on parenting with a disability, the needs of disabled parents and the ways in which doulas have an opportunity to provide accessible and affirming care.

Workshop Description

In this 90 minute virtual webinar you will have the chance to ask Parenting with a Disability Network coordinator Rebecca Wood questions about how doulas can best support disabled parents. She will provide an overview of current resources outlining best practices for supporting disabled parents in pregnancy, labour and post-partum. She will talk through ableism and the impact on parenting. She will also talk through the creative problem-solving skills needed in order to make supports for parents accessible and supports for disabled people work for disabled parents. You will receive an overview of resources and best practice guidelines to support your work with a cross-disability population of parents. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

Who is it for?

This webinar is for doulas and birth workers looking to gain a better understanding of how to support disabled birthing parents.

Bio

Rebecca Wood is the coordinator of the Parenting with a Disability Network at the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto. She has lived experience of episodic disability and chronic illness and has worked with children and families for the past 20 years. She is an expert resource navigator and presents to parents, prospective parents, birthworkers, early childhood educators, and social services workers to improve the experiences of parenting with a disability.

Details: This virtual webinar takes place on January 29, 2026 at 12pm EST.

This webinar is free to members and alumni of Doula School, Discover Birth, and The Nesting Place and is $35 for external participants. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance that can be used as 1 CEU (continuing education units) at Doula School.